Judith Kunofsky’s Post

✨ LEVEL UP YOUR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT SKILLS! Fall 2024 semester of the Nonprofit Management Certificate course at Sonoma State University is now open for enrollment. Join live on Wednesday evenings, Sept. 11-Nov. 13, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gW5j3xtC Fast-paced live-streamed course on fundamental concepts, best practices & hands-on skills-building, taught by diverse instructors and enriched by students’ experiences. Topics include: * Nonprofit Program Development * Legal Issues * Finance & Accounting * Fundraising * Board Governance * Leadership & more! When you complete the course, you receive a Certificate of Nonprofit Management. Students rave about the course: * "I was offered a higher starting salary after I told the hiring manager I’d just completed this course." * "Thank you for leading an inspirational program for nonprofit leaders. It elevated my understanding of working in a nonprofit organization." * "Having different instructors each week is refreshing and potent." * "Great class for the fundamentals of nonprofit management." Registration is open!

Continuing education is key to nonprofit success. Integrating professional development into your strategic plan can enhance skills, improve retention, and strengthen your leadership pipeline. Learn how to allocate resources and time for staff education in our latest blog! https://lnkd.in/gNq_9AeR #Nonprofit #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContinuingEducation #StrategicPlanning #EmployeeRetention #LeadershipDevelopment

Attend the June 19th Nonprofit Boards & Governance Online Workshop . . . Are you interested in building an active and strategically-oriented board of directors – a board that is future-ready? You’re not alone. According to the latest surveys about nonprofits’ greatest challenges, board effectiveness continues to be one of the most frequent concerns. If you share this concern, attend the June 19th Nonprofit Boards & Governance workshop offered online by the UWM School of Continuing Education. Register at https://lnkd.in/etPJ3Uk This course can be applied to the Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management. This session will present tools and guidance for implementing proven practices and techniques being used today to strengthen the governance capacity of nonprofit boards with an eye to the future. Applying these practices can lead to steady improvements in your board’s functioning. The session will cover the following topics: Overview of Board Roles and Responsibilities ·      Collective board responsibilities ·      Individual board member responsibilities ·      Board/Staff relations Board Recruitment and Development The Board at Work ·      Generative, strategic and annual planning ·      Policy making ·      Effective meetings ·      Committees and work groups ·      Decision-making flow To learn about our approach to board development, take a look at the LinkedIn posts: "Positioning Your Nonprofit Board for Strategic Leadership Parts 1 & 2" http://tinyurl.com/q56m6yn and “Governing from the Future: Equipping Your Board for Leadership in Uncertain Times” https://lnkd.in/e9Saddr

You know that feeling when your team hits its stride, and everything clicks? That’s often thanks to ongoing learning and development. In my latest blog, I dive into why investing in your team's growth isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key to long-term success. 🌱 When professional development is part of your strategy, you’re not only building skills but also nurturing loyalty and creating future leaders. 💡 It’s a win-win that pays off in many ways. Take a moment to check out how you can prioritize your team’s education and set them (and your organization) up for even bigger wins down the road! 🚀

Scholarships for Nonprofit CEOs and Senior Leaders : HBS Social Enterprise Executive Education Scholarships Many of the top nonprofit leaders of atlanta have benefitted from this scholarship. And some of my clients including Paula Moody, Chief Executive Officer , Emily Acker , Dean Crowe, Heather Rowles, Matthew Pieper , Lisa Kennedy, ACFRE have put the knowledge and inspiration from this peer learning to great use by growing their impact as leaders and for our community. The Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta is now accepting scholarship applications from Georgia nonprofit leaders to attend HBS Social Enterprise Executive Education programs in 2025. Scholarships include full tuition, room, board, and airfare, if applicable. Scholarships are being offered for two programs: Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation—Virtual (DNPIV), for senior nonprofit leaders responsible for performance measurement, and Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM), for nonprofit CEOs and executive directors. These programs provide a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to step back from their day-to-day roles, share experiences and insights with peers and HBS faculty, and explore proven ways for their organizations to achieve high performance. For details about eligibility, application, and deadline, click here. https://lnkd.in/etKdspub

I'm excited to share that I’m taking a significant step forward in my master’s program at Georgia State University by pursuing a certification in Nonprofit Management and Social Enterprise. This program will deepen my understanding of how to lead and manage organizations that drive social impact, and I’m eager to explore and apply these new skills. Throughout this journey, I’ll be diving into essential areas such as Public Budgeting, where I’ll learn to develop and manage budgets that align with an organization’s mission, ensuring both transparency and effectiveness. I’ll also explore the Introduction to Nonprofit Management, gaining insights into the unique challenges and best practices of leading nonprofit organizations, from governance to strategic planning. Additionally, I’ll be tackling Public Financing, which will equip me with the knowledge to navigate the complex financial landscape and secure vital resources for nonprofit success. As I progress, I’m excited to share the insights and knowledge I gain along the way, and I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re in the nonprofit sector, interested in social enterprise, or simply passionate about making a difference, let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to create sustainable, community-driven solutions. #NonprofitManagement #SocialEnterprise #PublicBudgeting #PublicFinancing  #SocialImpact #LeadershipDevelopment

Why Professional Development is a Must for Nonprofit Success \ In the nonprofit world, passion drives the mission, but professional development powers the impact. From board members making key decisions to staff and volunteers executing the vision, investing in growth and learning is essential to ensure your organization thrives. Why professional development matters: ✅ Stronger Boards: Training in governance, financial oversight, and diversity equips board members to lead with confidence and accountability. ✅ Empowered Staff: Ongoing learning keeps your team ahead of trends, builds expertise, and prepares future leaders—all while boosting morale and retention. ✅ Engaged Volunteers: Clear training ensures volunteers feel valued and empowered, amplifying their contributions. ✅ Innovation & Adaptability: A team committed to learning is better prepared to navigate challenges, adopt new technologies, and drive creative solutions. ✅ Enhanced Reputation: A well-trained team shows donors, partners, and the community your organization is accountable, capable, and future-focused. Ready to prioritize growth? Consider programs like Trent University’s Nonprofit Management Essentials Micro-credentials Let’s discuss: How does your organization support professional development for its team? Share your thoughts in the comments #NonprofitLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #BoardGovernance #StaffTraining #VolunteerEngagement #Innovation #NonprofitSuccess

Sometimes we get it backwards when talking about nonprofit strategic planning. We overemphasize differentiating your org - yet downplay the importance of impact. Don’t get me wrong. Positioning is important. But here’s what I’ve observed. Most of the nonprofit leaders I work with are inherently good at identifying gaps. They don’t want to be going after the same grant funding as their partners. They don’t want to duplicate efforts. More often than not - nonprofit program managers already have an intuitive sense of how to find their niche. Yet we spend so much time focused on differentiating ourselves – at the expense of not talking enough about impact. ************* 3 steps towards more impact during strategic planning: ➡️ Have your team do impact mapping to show the causal links between your program activities and long-term outcomes ➡️ Find *some* evidence that your programs actually work– whether it’s peer-reviewed journal articles or interviews, whatever is feasible for your organization ➡️ Make sure your whole team understands what your strategies are and how to contribute to shared goals (hint: this means improved communication across your programs & breaking down silos)  Have you also observed this? Do you find that sometimes there isn't enough emphasis on strategies that have the most impact during strategic planning?

*Transforming Nonprofit Leadership: How Senior Leaders and CEOs Enhance Strategic Leadership with the Finance Masterclass* The role of a nonprofit CEO is extraordinarily dynamic, blending leadership, strategic acumen, and mission-driven passion. However, a significant challenge has been the lack of robust financial leadership training tailored to the specific needs of nonprofits - until recently :). This gap often leaves leaders managing complex financial landscapes without the necessary tools, making it difficult for leaders to comprehensively understand their strategic financial leadership role, and put it into action. Recognizing the importance of deepening her financial leadership skills, Aline Nizigama, CEO of YWCA Canada, turned to the Finance Masterclass for Nonprofit Leaders by Goodcasting Academy. Aline had a rich background in leadership but realized that traditional training programs only provided a surface-level understanding of nonprofit finance. Aline shares her transformative experience: ➡ "The Finance Masterclass marked a turning point for me.   Initially armed with just an intermediate grasp of nonprofit finance, this course elevated my understanding, covering everything from nuanced financial roles to strategic budgeting and reserve planning.   The practical tools and real-world examples used throughout the course were immediately applicable, even allowing me to enhance discussions and strategies in board meetings." ⬅ The Finance Masterclass for Nonprofit Leaders fills a critical void, providing comprehensive, in-depth training that goes beyond basic financial management. It equips leaders like Aline with the knowledge and tools necessary to steer their organizations towards sustained fiscal health and operational efficacy. This course is more than an educational experience; it's a necessary step for any nonprofit executive looking to strengthen their financial acumen. By focusing on key aspects of strategic financial leadership, such as understanding governance finance, creating finance strategies, and dissecting the business model, it empowers leaders to not just manage but excel in their roles. We continue to celebrate the success of leaders like Aline Nizigama who have taken this course and emerged more confident and competent in their executive roles. My commitment is to ensure that nonprofit leaders across Canada are equipped to lead with assurance and insight, turning financial understanding into a cornerstone of their leadership strategy - one leader at a time. Onward and upward, Aline! 👍 For more information on how this course can benefit your organization, visit: [Finance Masterclass for Nonprofit Leaders] https://lnkd.in/g-C_WvrX #NonprofitFinance #GoodcastingAcademy #FinanceMasterclassNonprofit